But the Countess was doomed to disappointment. General Chesterton and his brother had mutually agreed to leave all they had to Adrienne. She was almost entirely dependent on them, as her father, like his sister Cecily, had spent more than he had saved. They considered that their sister, who had received equal shares with them at their father's death, was not as much in need of money as Adrienne. Meanwhile Adrienne heard from Bertha Preston. "MY DEAR ADRIENNE,— "I want to report myself to you, as I am afraid I am not a great success. Your capabilities and perfections are recounted to me day by day. I strive to emulate you. I run round and do errands, and garden and arrange flowers, and dust everything that I can lay my hands upon. We take perambulations about the garden and wood. When I can, I sneak off on my own, and visit little Agatha or call at my cottage. I am a great walker, and am always happy in the open air. Your friend the notary is closeted with your aunt continually. I fancy things are coming to a climax. He tells her he must foreclose the mortgage. This has been held over her head so long as a threat, that I think she does not believe he will do it. But there's a nasty look in his eye which means business. He evidently thinks the Count an ineffectual doll. He said as much to me the other day, which rather amused me, as I have seen him in quite another light. I asked your aunt what she would do when the time came for her to leave the Château. She looked quite scared, but evidently has been thinking the matter over, for she told me this morning that she would go straight to her flat in Orleans until her stepson bought it back for her. She has little idea of the tenacity and purpose of the village notary. Did you know she has mortgaged the furniture of the Château as well as the pictures? I told her that Van Dyck's portrait was worth a fortune. It seems a pity that it should go out of the family. Well—I must close. I hope you are well. We talk about you continually and I have many inquiries after you from the villagers. "Yours affectionately, "BERTHA PRESTON." Adrienne felt very uneasy after receiving this letter. She showed it to her uncle, who calmly said that the sooner his sister got rid of the Château the better. "It has always been a white elephant to her. She will be much happier in Orleans. We begged her long ago to get rid of it. In every way she will be better off in Orleans; she will be away from this scheming lawyer of hers."